This text is part of the special Culture Montérégie notebook
The circus has carved out a very special place in the hearts of Quebecers. The talents here, recognized around the world, are a real source of national pride. Montreal has even established itself as the capital of the circus, its light radiating in its own way in the neighboring region, Montérégie.
The recreational circus has become more popular in recent years. Several small traveling companies were born, a handful of which are based in Montérégie. We have also seen schools open in Brossard, Beloeil, Vaudreuil-Dorion and Disraeli.
“The closer we are to Montreal, the more children have had contact with the circus at school or even in specialized day camps. But when we move away to the region, it’s rarer,” notes Christine Jeannotte, co-founder of Productions 3. 2. 1. circus, which puts on family shows and offers workshops for children.
At the origins of the Quebec circus
To understand how the circus took such a place in Quebec identity, we must go back to its origins.
At 77, clown Rodrigue “Chocolat” Tremblay, who founded Productions Éclats de Rire with Nicolette Hazewinkel in 1992, describes himself as an “old branch” of the industry.
The Quebec circus did not exist when Rodrigue Tremblay was young. There were storytellers, variety shows, theater, vaudeville, gymnastics and wrestling, so many traditions in which the local circus was able to anchor itself. But it was in Budapest that Mr. Tremblay had to train, with other Quebecers, to learn the art of the circus, which was practically non-existent in Quebec in the 1970s.
“After Budapest, we sat down to imagine what a circus in Quebec would look like,” recalls the clown. A circus which would be without animals and which would be very focused on play. We wanted to mix all the arts: dance, acrobatics, singing…”
This contemporary circus, which emerged in parallel in Quebec and in Europe, broke tradition. No animals, no master of ceremonies to present the different numbers and more space given to the staging.
This is exactly what Cirque du Soleil has offered since its creation in 1984, paving the way for other companies.
“As we haven’t been doing circus in Quebec for very long, we immediately launched into a more theatrical circus. We are very strong in that,” believes Marie-Hélène D’Amours, general and artistic director of the Gros Orteil traveling company, based in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil and deployed all over the world.
Amaze young and old
Quebecers’ pride in the circus is largely due to Cirque du Soleil, which brought international recognition. All the companies interviewed said they felt this pride from the public, which has certainly contributed to the place that circus takes in Quebec.
A place such that, for several years, the circus has been included in the physical education classes of many primary schools.
“Doing a bit of trapeze, hoops or juggling is different from basketball and other sports that we always see in schools,” emphasizes Christine Jeannotte, who gives workshops in Montérégie, among other places.
She is also well placed to know how the circus can change the trajectory of a child. Her husband and business partner, Jolain Bélisle, fell in love with the profession during childhood. “He really struggled at school. It was an English teacher who taught him to juggle when he was ten. From there, it was her whole life,” she says.
Nicolette Hazewinkel, who teaches at the National Circus School of Montreal and the Quebec Circus School, notes that these disciplines require great physical fitness. But the circus also maintains an artistic and creative aspect.
“It’s good for young people and adults alike to do the circus,” she believes. So much the better if there are lots of small schools, like for dance and theater. »
Marie-Hélène D’Amours agrees: her workshops go a little further than physical education classes in schools. “We try to bring this artistic side in addition to the physical side. »
If Montérégie is not today a circus hub like Montreal is, Rodrigue Tremblay and Christine Jeannotte believe that the potential is there.
“In my opinion, it will develop over the years,” concludes Chocolat, who sees regional recreational schools as a possible springboard for artists who are discovering themselves.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.